Preview of the Speed to Come

With a possible snowstorm looming late tonight, more daylight and ten riders or more out this morning, conditions were ripe for a preview of “Terrible Tuesday”.  It was a cold, 23°F and I was dressed for it.  Pushing off from the Rusty Bridge, we brought our speed up to a reasonable pace as we settled in to that period of time when you reconnect with others and somehow the group begins to decide the pace.  I don’t know how it happens, it just does.

I really don’t think that the idea of fast came until about the time we hit Old County Road.  It was on the climb out of Round Bay that the pack started to push it.  By the time we all hit the top of the hill we were strung out and some kept the power needed to climb the hill constant.  Others, like me, were gasping for breath.  I kept the speed up as much as I could, but by the time I hit the trail again, I had let some distance get between my front wheel and the bikes around me.  I held a heart rate of 160 as long as I could, then slowed some to cool down and keep the heart rate in the lower 150s.  I was unzipping vents in my clothing like crazy.  The blinking lights continued to get further and further away.

This is a familiar feeling … getting dropped.  My cardiovascular system is strong, but not strong enough for this.  Thankfully, the gang waited at the end of the trail for me, and on the return, as quick as it was, I was able to stay connected to the group, usually in about the 4 or 5 position.  I know that in the next month, the speeds will increase dramatically.

As we rolled into Severn Park at McKinsey Road, I noted that this was likely my fastest morning ride this year.  The details pulled off the Garmin and uploaded to Strava confirm that.  I’ve got two private Strava segments that I use to gauge the ride, and both show that I’ve got some work to do to beat my best times, but for the year, this ride was the fastest of the year.  Look out … it is coming!

This Ride: 21.1 miles
Month: 93.6 miles
2013: 897.8 miles
Total since 1/1/2010: 20,670.7 miles